Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka Axelsson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started makingThe Dripping Rain Cloud during the COVID-19 lockdowns as a simple idea to bring more joy into my everyday routine. Inspired by a cloud decoration I made for my daughter’s room—and the task of watering my plants—I used my 3D printer to create a cloud that could gently “rain” on them.
I shared the design online, and what happened next surprised me. The response was immediate, and orders quickly outgrew what I could make at home. That early momentum pushed me to take a leap—from a one-person operation to building a real scalable business. In 2021, I officially launched The Cloud Makers and partnered with a local Georgia manufacturer to scale production.
Today, our patented and trademarked Dripping Rain Clouds are proudly made in Georgia and enjoyed in homes around the world. We’re still a family-run business based in Woodstock, GA, focused on creating products that balance charm with performance. By turning plant care into a simple, repeatable ritual, the clouds help people water more consistently and feel more confident caring for their plants. It’s proof that a thoughtfully designed product can be both playful and powerful—because whimsy that works really does make a difference.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of our earliest challenges was protecting our IP, which helped establish the Dripping Rain Cloud as a truly original product. Scaling from a home-based business to manufacturing was a steep learning curve, but it gave me the opportunity to be very intentional about how we grew. Choosing to partner with Georgia-based manufacturers and suppliers wasn’t just a simply a business decision, it was a values decision. Becoming a Certified Georgia Made product reflects our commitment to supporting local businesses while building something meant to last. Growing the company while raising two teenagers kept everything grounded in real, busy life. Each challenge strengthened both the business and the community around it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Cloud Makers?
I’m really proud of the brand we’ve built over the last four years. What started in a spare bedroom of our home, with me 3D printing designs, The Cloud Makers, has grown into a business with local manufacturing and distribution across the U.S. If you had told me back then that this is where we’d be today, I honestly wouldn’t have believed you.
I began designing things simply to brighten my own day. I shared them on Etsy because I loved the idea that something I made could bring a little joy to someone else. I never expected a single viral moment to change everything, but it did. Since then, it’s been a constant mix of learning, growing, and pushing myself.
We are a family-run business. My husband and I spend late nights tossing around new ideas, and my kids are amazing about adding their artistic and generational input. But beyond our family, this is truly a community-built brand. Being Georgia Made means so much more to me than a certification, it means I know our suppliers personally, and those relationships have played a huge role in helping our business grow.
As a mom who never quite felt at home in the PTA crowd, I’ve found my people in the entrepreneurial community. Our suppliers, retail partners, and fellow small business owners have become friends and cheerleaders as we all grow together. I really feel like “in the clouds” is where I was meant to be.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I was a stay at home mom for 18 years before starting The Cloud Makers. It wasn’t planned that way it was just what ended up making sense for our family. As my kids moved into their teens I planned on going back to work, I just didn’t know I was going to be working for myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheCloudMakers.com
- Instagram: @the.Cloud.Makers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainCloudMakers
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecloudmakers/
